Inner ear barotrauma and inner ear decompression sickness: a systematic review on differential diagnostics.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Inner ear barotrauma (IEBt) and inner ear decompression sickness (IEDCS) are the two dysbaric inner ear injuries associated with diving. Both conditions manifest as cochleovestibular symptoms, causing difficulties in differential diagnosis and possibly delaying (or leading to inappropriate) treatment.

Methods

This was a systematic review of IEBt and IEDCS cases aiming to define diving and clinical variables that help differentiate these conditions. The search strategy consisted of a preliminary search, followed by a systematic search covering three databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus). Studies were included when published in English and adequately reporting one or more IEBt or IEDCS patients in diving. Concerns regarding missing and duplicate data were minimised

SUBMITTER: Lindfors OH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8923696 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature